Print via your browser’s print dialog (Ctrl/Cmd + P). This worksheet is designed for a calm fluency boost:
focus on thinking first, then speed.
Learning intention & success criteria
Start here
Learning intention
Today I am learning to use smart number strategies to answer facts more quickly and confidently.
Success criteria
I can:
- use doubles, near doubles and make-10 facts to add quickly,
- think of subtraction as “how much more” or “what’s missing?”,
- use patterns in the 2, 5 and 10 times tables instead of skip-counting every time.
In my own words, today I am learning to…
Warm-up / Prior knowledge
Quick check
Answer these facts. You do not need to be fast yet – just try your best and show neat working if you need it.
6 + 7 =
8 + 5 =
9 + 6 =
15 − 7 =
14 − 9 =
3 × 2 =
5 × 4 =
10 × 3 =
Vocabulary / Key ideas
Language
-
Strategy – a smart way to work out the answer (not just counting by 1s).
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Double – adding the same number to itself, like 6 + 6.
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Near double – a fact close to a double, like 6 + 7 (double 6 and add 1).
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Make 10 – using pairs that make 10 (3 + 7, 4 + 6) to help with bigger facts.
Teaching input – What you need to know
Read & notice
Fluent number thinkers do not count every time – they use patterns and known facts. Before trying to be fast,
we focus on choosing a good strategy. Speed comes later with practice.
Example strategies:
- Doubles & near doubles: 7 + 7 = 14, so 7 + 8 = 15.
- Make 10: 9 + 6 → 9 + 1 + 5 = 10 + 5 = 15.
- Think addition for subtraction: 14 − 9 is “9 and how many more make 14?”
- Times tables patterns: 5× facts end in 0 or 5; 10× just add a zero.
Write one strategy you already like using, and one you want to get better at.
Worked example
Model
Example question:
Work out 9 + 7 using a “make 10” strategy, not fingers.
Step-by-step solution:
- Start with 9. You know 9 needs 1 more to make 10.
- Take 1 from the 7: split 7 into 1 and 6.
- Now do 9 + 1 = 10, then 10 + 6 = 16.
Why this works:
It is easier to jump to 10 and then add what is left. 10 is a friendly number, so this strategy makes harder
facts feel simpler.
Use the same idea to explain how you could solve 8 + 7 without counting by 1s.
Guided practice (We do)
Together
Choose a strategy for each question (doubles, near doubles, make 10, or “how much more?”).
You can talk about your thinking with your tutor.
-
Use a near double to solve 7 + 8.
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Use make 10 to solve 8 + 5.
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Think “how much more?” to solve 13 − 9.
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5 × 6 – use a pattern from the 5 times table to solve this without skip-counting by 1s.
Adjustments:
Support: Use tens frames, number lines or counters to see the make-10 or near-double pattern.
Challenge: After solving, explain which strategy was quickest and why.
Independent practice (You do)
Your turn
Try to answer each fact using a strategy you choose. If you want, you can time how long the
whole section takes, then try again another day to beat your time calmly.
a) Addition with make 10 / near doubles
9 + 5
7 + 7
8 + 6
6 + 9
4 + 8
3 + 9
5 + 7
6 + 6
b) Subtraction as “how much more?”
-
15 − 8 =
-
17 − 9 =
-
14 − 6 =
c) 2, 5 and 10 times tables
Extension / Enrichment (Optional)
Stretch
Choose 3 of your favourite facts from this page and:
- Write the fact (for example, 8 + 6 = 14).
- Write which strategy you used.
- Explain in a sentence how your strategy works.
Reflection
Check-in
Years 3–4
What did I do well today?
What strategy helped me answer more quickly?
What is one strategy I want to keep practising?
Materials (if needed)
Set up
- Number line or hundreds chart (for support)
- Tens frames, counters or blocks (for make-10 visualising)
- Timer or watch (optional, for calm fluency timing)
- Pencil and scrap paper for extra working out
Answer key — For parents & tutors
Warm-up answers
- 6 + 7 = 13
- 8 + 5 = 13
- 9 + 6 = 15
- 15 − 7 = 8
- 14 − 9 = 5
- 3 × 2 = 6
- 5 × 4 = 20
- 10 × 3 = 30
Guided practice answers
- 7 + 8 = 15 (near double of 7 + 7 or 8 + 8)
- 8 + 5 = 13 (8 + 2 + 3 = 10 + 3)
- 13 − 9 = 4 (9 and 4 make 13)
- 5 × 6 = 30
Independent practice answers
a) Addition
- 9 + 5 = 14
- 7 + 7 = 14
- 8 + 6 = 14
- 6 + 9 = 15
- 4 + 8 = 12
- 3 + 9 = 12
- 5 + 7 = 12
- 6 + 6 = 12
b) Subtraction
- 15 − 8 = 7
- 17 − 9 = 8
- 14 − 6 = 8
c) 2, 5 and 10 times tables
- 2 × 7 = 14
- 5 × 3 = 15
- 10 × 4 = 40
- 5 × 8 = 40
Notes for parents & tutors
This worksheet is designed for a student who has solid accuracy but needs support with
fluency. The focus is on strategy-based thinking before speed:
- Encourage the child to say their strategy out loud (“I made 10 then added the rest”).
- Only add gentle timing once strategies feel secure and calm.
- Repeat the same worksheet on a different day to notice growing confidence and fluency.